Lockdown Biohack #16 - Breathe Baby Breathe
- Sue Regan Kenney
- Jan 10, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 15, 2021
Our breath is our life force. The first thing we do when we are born is to inhale. The last thing we do when we end this life is to exhale. And for all the time in between, we keep breathing in and out about 20,000 times a day. Mitochondria are the energy center of each of our 70 trillion cells. If we live a sedentary, comfortable lifestyle, they get lazy too. Then we don't need energy, therefore we don't need nutrition. However, they work extra hard when there is an oxygen deficit. When we are active or workout they also benefit. We can go skating, tobogganing, or walking outdoors in the winter cold daily (underdressed) and that is good enough!
The other day I had an iMessage conversation with a friend about the importance of a healthy, nutritious, plant-based diet. He was intensely focused and committed to his diet but couldn't keep his Wim Hof Method breathing practice up daily. I suggested that the breath was more important than focussing solely on a nutrient-rich diet. If we don't have oxygen going to our cells, our organs/cells/hormones fail to efficiently process the food/energy. And every day 700 billion cells need to be replaced and they need oxygen to do this.
Today's biohack is to breathe.
Breathe deeply.
Breathe fresh air.
Breathe cold air.
Breathe in your nose and out your mouth. When we breathe in the nose we produce nitric oxide. It is a vasodilator and allows us to take in more oxygen and open up the sinuses so you don't get stuffed up. It is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial. We need that right now.
Box Breathing
Breathe in for the count of 4. Hold for the count of 4.
Breathe out for the count of 4. Hold for the count of 4.
Repeat 4 times once or twice a day and do it outside if you can.
If you'd like to learn the Wim Hof Method breathing practice, I'm offering online workshops and there's one tomorrow. Register Here
Happy Breathing!
Soul to sole.
Barefoot Sue
I really enjoyed reading this post about the importance of breathing techniques and how something as simple as mindful breathing can influence our stress levels, focus, and overall well-being. In busy or challenging periods, taking a moment to slow down and reconnect with our breath can make a huge difference. I think these small biohacking habits are valuable because they are accessible to everyone and can easily become part of a daily routine. Combining mindfulness with other ways of maintaining balance, relaxation, and positive emotions can create a healthier lifestyle. Exploring different approaches to self-care, even through platforms like piperspin casino, can also be a reminder that relaxation and enjoyment are important parts of finding balance in everyday life. Great…
Breathing really is one of those things we completely take for granted… until we actually stop for a minute and pay attention to it. Whether it's box breathing, getting outside for some fresh air, or simply taking a few slow deep breaths during a stressful day, it's amazing how much of a difference such a small habit can make.
I haven't mastered the Wim Hof method yet, but I definitely agree that good breathing deserves way more attention than it gets. Sometimes the simplest habits have the biggest impact on how we feel.
By the way, if you enjoy discovering interesting wellness ideas and other fun topics, it's worth checking out https://posido.ca/ too—you might find something that catches your eye!